No action against NZ First over Horan allegations

NZ First will not face any sanctions in relation to
allegations of misuse of taxpayer funding made by its former MP
Brendon Horan.

Mr Horan had claimed in a complaint to Speaker of the House
David Carter that Parliamentary Service funding to run NZ
First's offices in Parliament had been used for party
political purposes including fundraising activities.

However, a spokesman for Mr Carter this morning said an
investigation into the claims had been concluded and "no
further action will be taken unless further evidence is
produced".

"NZ First is disappointed that both it, and Parliamentary
Services, have been forced into an extensive, time-wasting
exercise because of baseless claims by a disgruntled member
of Parliament, Brendan Horan", Leader Winston Peters said
this morning.

"NZ First's parliamentary staff have been put through
unnecessary scrutiny, because of these claims.

"This has been a disgraceful abuse by an MP of the process
around parliamentary funding, and New Zealand First is
concerned at the undue media attention and time this MP's
abuse of process has been given."

Mr Peters noted that the National Government had given some
if its question time in Parliament to Mr Horan to enable him
to make "a number of baseless allegations".

"NZ First believes that MP and the Government should now
apologise to New Zealand First, the Speaker, and the public
for these dirty underhand tactics."